Mineral concentrator



2, 1958 H. E. BELLIARD 2,847,125

MINERAL CONCENTRATOR Filed 001;. 24, 1955 INVENTOR 7mm 5 ATTORNEYS MINERAL CUNCENTRATOR Henri Edmond Belliard, Sao Joao del Rei, Minas Gerais, Brazil Application October 24, 1955, Serial No. 542,386

(Ilaims priority, application Brazil October 11, 1955 1 Claim. (CL 209-455) This invention refers to a machine for the concentration of minerals, known under the generic term of jigs, in which the concentration is obtained through pulsations of water underneath a layer of the material to be treated.

On these machines the device responsible for the pulsations of the water comprises a diaphragm with a flexible margin which transmits the pulsations to the mass of water. The mechanisms used for such motion, that is for actuating the diaphragm, are of the mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic type.

The concentrator to which this invention refers comprises a diaphragm actuated by means of magnetic forces, this being the main characteristic of the invention.

This method of magnetic motion, for the reasons to be discussed, is responsible for an improved pulsating curve and for a more accurate control of the characteristics of the said curve. Also, due to the fact that the source of energy is mechanically independent from the pulsating device,-no mechanical parts are present inside the machine, requiring lubrication and being subject to wear.

In this invention use is made of a water valve also controlled by means of magnetic forces.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become more apparent from a study of the following specification when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a partially-sectioned elevational view of the concentrator apparatus of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a partially-sectioned elevational view of the electrical pulse producing control means;

Fig. 3 is a sectional-view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a curve of the apparatus operation according to my invention.

Referring now to Fig. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates the general casing of the concentrator and 2 a metallic grid which supports the ore. A metallic diaphragm 3 is flexibly connected to a metallic box 4 by means of a flexible jointing 5. The said box or casing 4 is connected by means of metallic pipes 6 to the general casing 1, the said pipes opening freely inside of the casing 4 and also to the outside of casing 1. The forces and weight to which the casing 4 is submitted are firmly secured by means of the said pipes 6. An electro-magnet shown generally by the reference numeral 7 comprises an iron core 8 and an electric winding 9. A set of springs 10 presses against the diaphragm 3 in such a way as to balance the weight of the water which is on top of the diaphragm. Reference numeral 11 shows the iron armature of the electro-magnet. The diaphragm 3 is limited in its vertical displacement by means of a cylindrical part 12 which is eccentrically assembled to the rod 13, said rod being actuated by means of the handwheel 14.

An electric direct current generator 15 receiving a rotating motion drives through a gear box a rotating electric switch or distributor 17. The collecting brushes are shown as 18--l920 in Fig. 3. The electric conductors 21-22 connect the electric power to electro-magnet nited States Patent 7 and to the water valve illustrated generally by the reference numeral 24. The water of pulsation admitted through the pipe 23 is controlled by means of the electro-magnetic valve 24. This valve comprises an electro-magnet 25 and iron armature 26, springs 27, a flexible diaphragm 28 and the valve proper 29. A handwheel 30 actuating a screwed rod allows to control the displacement of the armature 2s thus controlling the quantity of water to be admitted. Reference numeral 31 indicates astatic electric condenser provided for the avoidance of sparking of the electric system.

The operation of my invention may now be described as follows. The electric generator 15 provides electrical energy through the rotating distributor 17 to the solenoid valve and'to the electro-magnet 7. This distributor includes a segmented conducting part 17', and when for instance the brush 19 is in contact with the said segment (Fig. 3), the electric current goes through the electric conductors 21*22, and through the windings 9 of electromagnet 7 and those of electro-magnet 25. As a result, diaphragm 3 is attracted towards the electro-magnet 7 against the tension of springs 10. Corresponding to the downward displacement of diaphragm 3, the magnetically controlled water valve 24 also opens due to the attraction of armature 26 against the electro-magnet 25, thus admitting water into the machine.

Upon further rotation of distributor 17, the electric current is cut ofi and springs 10 will lift the diaphragm 3 upwardly to also lift the material supported by grid 2. The magnetic valve will close the water supply by action of springs 27. Upon uniform rotation of the distributor there is obtained an alternating motion of diaphragm 3 corresponding to definite cycles of pulsation and of water control.

In order to provide a desired cyclic operation of the apparatus and at the same time to avoid suction, the distributor 17 is provided with an insulated segmented portion 17' which periodically interrupts the electric power to place the diaphragm in its uppermost position for a predetermined period of time.

According to the dimensions given to the segmented portion 17 of the distributor and the number of rotations of distributor 17 per unit time there are obtained the following characteristics of the operating curve of Fig. 4: (1) at the upward motion of diaphragm 3 a sharp impulse is effected so as to lift rapidly the whole bed of material from the grid 2; (2) a period of rest of diaphragm 3 at the end of the upward motion so as to avoid suction; (3) sharp downward stroke of diaphragm so as to create an injection of water which eliminates or minimize any residual suction.

The means of control of the concentrator are as follows. The length of stroke is given by the vertical travel of diaphragm 3 which is limited by part 12. The part 12 being assembled eccentrically onto the rod 13 there can be obtained any length of stroke by adjusting the handwheel 14. The quantity of water admitted is controlled by means of screw 30 which limits the opening of valve 29.

A characteristic curve is shown in Fig. 4 illustrating the characteristics function of the apparatus for a number of rotations of distributor 17, showing the period of time of contact and interruption of the electric current and the length of stroke of the diaphragm. In the curve A is the period of time and vertical travel of diaphragm 3; B is the period of time in which the diaphragm rests on top of the upward motion; C the period of time and downward vertical travel of diaphragm 3 and also the period of time of water admission. As an example, the figures for the curve shown are: number of rotations per minute, length of sector conducting the electric cur- J: rent, one third of the circumference of distributor; length of stroke 30 millimeters.

While in accordance With the provisions of the statutes I have illustrated and described the best form of embodiment of my invention known to me, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the form of the apparatus described without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claim.

I claim:

In a mineral concentrator having a frame with a horizontal screen mounted therein adapted to support the material to be treated, a pulsator secured in said frame beneath the screen comprising a horizontal flexible diaphragm, a substantially fiat horizontally-arranged armature secured to the under side of said diaphragm, an electromagnet fixed with respect to the frame beneath said armature and adapted to attract said armature and said diaphragm upon the application of currentthereto, said electromgnet consisting of an iron core having a fiat upper surface with an energizing coil recessed therein, and spring means urging said armature upwardly from said electromagnet upon the interruption of current thereto to cause the armature to be spaced from said electromagnet by an air gap of approximately one inch; conduit means for supplying liquid to said concentrator above said diaphragm; a solenoid valve in said conduit means for controlling the fiuid supply; and rotary switch means for simultaneously controlling the cyclic application of electrical energy to said electromagnet and to said solenoid valve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

